Compiled from 13 sources; we haven't tested these products ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
Both are refillable Japanese retractable gel pens sold from 0.3 to 1.0 mm. The Zebra Sarasa Clip uses water-based pigment ink that Zebra calls highly water-resistant, plus a binder clip. The Pentel EnerGel RTX uses low-viscosity liquid gel ink sold as quick-drying. Pick the EnerGel if you smear; pick the Sarasa Clip for permanence and colors.
On this page10 sections
Pigment gel with a binder clip, above liquid gel with a metal clip.
Zebra Sarasa Clip Retractable Gel Pen (0.3 / 0.4 / 0.5 / 0.7 / 1.0 mm; JJ15): Made by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo); sold in the US by Zebra Pen Corporation. Made in Japan: per retailer spec sheets: FairPrice (Singapore) lists Japan for the 0.7 mm pen and the JF-0.5 refills, Carrefour UAE lists Japan for the Sarasa Push Clip, and SM Stationery (Philippines) says made in Japan. Zebra's Japanese and global product pages don't state a country of manufacture. Source. Price: example listing.
Pentel EnerGel RTX (BL77, BLN75, BLN73, BLN77, BL80): Made by ASTRUM Corporation (Tokyo), called Pentel Co., Ltd. until April 1, 2026; Pentel remains the brand. Made in Japan or Mexico: Pentel of America's 2022 product catalog gives the origin of the EnerGel RTX (BL77 metal tip and BLN73/75/77 needle tips) as 'Japan / Mexico' without saying which SKU comes from where. Retailer listings match: OfficeSupply.com lists Mexico for one RTX listing. Pentel's Japanese product page doesn't state a country. Check the package of the exact pen you buy. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Year the EnerGel line launched, per Pentel's Japanese news release of August 7, 2026. Pentel's Japanese magazine says it was sold only outside Japan at first, with Japanese sales starting in 2003. We found no separate debut date for the US RTX model.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
Ink: Zebra's Japanese site describes Sarasa ink as water-based pigment with excellent water resistance; Pentel says EnerGel ink has 3 times the lubricant of its usual gel ink and soaks into paper quickly.
Sizes: Sarasa Clip 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 mm; EnerGel RTX 0.3 and 0.5 mm needle tips, 0.7 mm needle or metal, 1.0 mm metal, with a 0.4 mm needle only in Japan.
Zebra Japan lists the Sarasa Clip at 141.0 mm and 10.9 g for ¥132 (about US$0.80); Pentel Japan lists EnerGel at ¥275 (about US$1.70) and publishes no length.
Refills: JF for the Sarasa Clip; LR7 and LR10 (metal) or LRN3, LRN5 and LRN7 (needle) for the EnerGel.
Both are in our $ band (under $5 per pen); the Sarasa Clip is listed as made in Japan, the EnerGel RTX as Japan or Mexico.
What is the difference between the Sarasa Clip and the EnerGel?
The ink: the Sarasa Clip uses water-based pigment gel ink built for water resistance, and the EnerGel uses a thinner “liquid gel” ink built to dry fast. Both are click-retractable, refillable gel pens from Tokyo makers, and both sell in the billions.
Zebra launched the Sarasa Clip in 2003 and says it has been Japan’s best-selling gel pen for 14 straight years. Pentel launched EnerGel in 2001, first outside Japan; the RTX is its main refillable model in the US. The Sarasa Clip is our gel pick among the best Japanese pens.
How do the Sarasa Clip and EnerGel RTX compare?
On paper they’re close in size and price; the ink, the tips and the clip set them apart.
Zebra Sarasa Clip
Pentel EnerGel RTX
Ink
Water-based pigment gel
EnerGel liquid gel (low viscosity)
Maker’s ink claim
Excellent water resistance, no feathering
Quick-drying, smudge-resistant
Sizes
0.3 · 0.4 · 0.5 · 0.7 · 1.0 mm
0.3, 0.5 needle · 0.7 needle or metal · 1.0 metal
Clip
Movable binder clip
Metal pocket clip
Length
141.0 mm (5.6 in), Zebra Japan
Not published; JetPens: 14.8 cm (5.8 in) for the 0.5 mm needle
Weight
10.9 g (Zebra Japan)
13 g for the 0.5 mm needle (JetPens)
Refill
JF (JF-0.5 for 0.5 mm)
LR7, LR10 (metal); LRN3, LRN5, LRN7 (needle)
Recycled plastic
76% (Eco Mark, standard colors)
54% (Pentel of America)
Japan list price
¥132 (about US$0.80)
¥275 (about US$1.70)
Made in
Japan (retailer sheets)
Japan or Mexico (Pentel of America)
Price band
$ (under $5 per pen)
$ (under $5 per pen)
Pentel’s Japanese price is from October 1, 2026; Zebra’s is its current list price.
Spec rows from the table above, drawn side by side.
Which dries faster?
The EnerGel, by design and by maker claims. Pentel’s Japanese site says EnerGel ink has three times the lubricant of its usual gel ink, flows at lower viscosity and soaks into paper quickly, and Pentel of America sells it as quick-drying for left-handed writers.
Zebra publishes no dry time for the Sarasa Clip. In a 2011 blog test, Mark Dominus at leancrew.com found the EnerGel smudged only if touched within a second or two. If you want Zebra’s take on fast drying, the Sarasa Dry X20 is its quick-dry model.
Which ink holds up better to water?
The Sarasa Clip. Zebra’s Japanese site says its water-based pigment ink has excellent water resistance and gives dark lines that don’t feather; retailers add fade resistance.
Pentel makes no water-resistance claim for standard EnerGel ink and doesn’t say whether it’s pigment or dye. For permanence, Pentel UK sells a separate LRP7 refill with permanent ink that fits EnerGel pens.
Which tip sizes should you choose?
The Sarasa Clip covers more fine sizes; the EnerGel offers a needle tip that makes the point easy to see.
Five Sarasa Clip sizes against four US EnerGel RTX sizes, with their model codes.
Pick 0.3 to 0.5 mm for planners and small writing, 0.7 mm for everyday notes and 1.0 mm for signatures. The 0.4 mm EnerGel needle tip (BLN74) is a Japanese model, not part of the US RTX range.
What about colors and refills?
The Sarasa Clip has far more colors; both take cheap refills sold in their own systems. JetPens’ chart lists 84 Sarasa Clip options, including the Milk, Vintage and Deco Shine sub-series, while Pentel of America lists the 0.7 mm EnerGel RTX in 20 ink colors.
Any EnerGel refill fits the RTX, so you can switch between a metal tip and a needle tip. The Sarasa Clip takes Zebra’s JF refill, which US distributors say also fits the Sarasa and Z-Grip Gel.
Which should you buy?
Pick the EnerGel RTX if you smear ink, write left-handed or write fast; pick the Sarasa Clip if you want water-resistant lines, the finest sizes or a big color range.
Pentel EnerGel RTX: quick-drying liquid gel ink and a choice of needle or metal tips. Our best pens for left-handed writers covers more quick-drying options.
Zebra Sarasa Clip: pigment ink, five sizes from 0.3 mm, dozens of colors and a clip that grips a notebook cover.
The US default: the Pilot G2 is the gel pen most Americans already own; our best gel pens roundup compares all three.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sarasa Clip or the EnerGel better for left-handed writers?
The EnerGel. Pentel markets its liquid gel ink as quick-drying and recommends it for left-handed writers; Zebra publishes no dry time for the Sarasa Clip and sells the separate Sarasa Dry X20 as its quick-drying model.
Is Sarasa Clip ink waterproof?
Water-resistant rather than waterproof. Zebra's Japanese site says the water-based pigment ink has excellent water resistance and doesn't feather.
Is Pentel EnerGel ink pigment or dye?
Pentel doesn't say on its Japanese or US product pages for the standard pen. It sells a separate LRP7 refill with permanent ink in the UK, which suggests the standard refill isn't sold for permanence.
Do Sarasa Clip refills fit the EnerGel?
No. The Sarasa Clip takes Zebra's JF refills and the EnerGel RTX takes Pentel's LR and LRN refills. Each fits its own maker's pens.
Which has more colors, Sarasa Clip or EnerGel?
The Sarasa Clip. JetPens' chart lists 84 Sarasa Clip options across sizes and sub-series; Pentel of America lists the 0.7 mm EnerGel RTX BL77 in 20 ink colors.
What is a needle tip on the EnerGel?
A long, thin metal tube around the ball that makes the point easy to see. Pentel's model codes with an N, such as BLN75, are needle tips; BL77 and BL80 have the standard cone-shaped metal tip.
Which sells more, the Sarasa Clip or the EnerGel?
Both claim big numbers. Zebra says the Sarasa Clip led Japan's gel pen sales for 14 straight years with over 1.4 billion pens shipped; Pentel says EnerGel had sold more than 1.6 billion pens worldwide by August 2026.
